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As the name implies, they are located in the center of the thickness of the urothelium, grouped into 2 to 5 layers of cells (depending on the location) and with varied functions depending on the situation.

When fully distended, the urinary bladder can hold nearly 500 ml of urine, making it an organ that has drastic changes in volume over short spans of time.

Transitional epithelium is a type of stratified epithelium found in organs able to distend. Honors Biology Textbook Remedial Life Science With regard to neoproliferative diseases, the cancer that starts in the urothelium (mainly bladder cancer) is usually of the carcinoma type, characterized by being very aggressive. These sheets are held together by specialized junctions. Finally, there is a condition that exclusively affects the urothelium, which is known as interstitial cystitis. In addition, the superficial cells have very firm tight junctions (these are the junctions between the cell's side walls), a very specialized surface glycan layer as well as a special composition of the basement membrane.

Difference between transitional epithelial cells and squamous epithelial cells Transitional epithelial cells are found in the ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. For instance, when there is a lot of water that needs to be expelled from the body, a large quantity of liquid passes through the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. study Life Science: Middle School Did you know… We have over 200 college 4:02 At the microscopic level, they have specialized structures that allow them to fulfill two main functions: impermeability and distensibility of the conduit.

The image shows a cross section of the bladder with an inset displaying the The second important function of these cells is to allow the organ to stretch and increase its volume depending on fluid pressure. College Biology: Help and Review Lymphatic Capillaries: Function & Explanation By 'transitional,' we mean that these cells can undergo a structural change in their shape and composition, while 'epithelium' refers to their location. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 79,000 Transitional epithelium contains cells that are flattened and cells that are cuboidal; hence the name "transitional".

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The transitional epithelium, like any other epithelium, is exposed to two main types of pathology: infections and the development of neoplasms (cancer). Bone Growth & Development Factors: Endochondral Ossification

Another feature that contributes not only to the urinary ducts can be distended, but also to tolerate the pressures very well is the type of intercellular junction. However, unlike the latter, the plates of the urothelium are joined together by structures similar to a hinge that allow the plates to separate between them without leaving empty spaces.

In the The bladder is an organ that is designed to hold a large proportion of the body’s toxic, liquid waste, before it is expelled from the body. The apical plates of the urothelium are arranged with each other in the manner of tiles on a roof. 4:22 Transitional Epithelia. Under normal conditions, the middle cells contribute to the impermeability of the urinary ducts, because the cells are joined by desmosomes, which are very dense and firm intercellular junctions. 7:57

These protein connections hold the cells together to form a tightly connected layer that is avascular but innervated in nature.

Transitional epithelium comprises basal cells and nonciliated columnar cells with either dense or sparse microvilli (Chamanza and Wright, 2015). 5:04 imaginable degree, area of A connective tissue layer (lamina propria continuous … Simple Cuboidal Epithelium: Location, Structure & Function What is Simple Squamous Epithelium? These protein connections hold the cells together to form a tightly connected layer that is avascular but innervated in nature.The epithelial cells are nourished by substances diffusing from blood vessels in the underlying connective tissue. Epithelial tissue is composed of cells laid out in sheets with strong cell-to-cell attachments.

5:43 When your bladder is empty, the tissue is relaxed, resulting in the interior surface forming many finger-like folds of the muscle and mucosal layer.

Adopted or used LibreTexts for your course? This means that the tissue of your bladder can stretch to accommodate more fluids, which in turn, reduces the frequency with which you need to go to the bathroom. Holt McDougal Modern Biology: Online Textbook Help